I. SERMON NOTES​​​

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What Is Confident Faith in Jesus?

• Is the focus primarily on how confident my faith is? Hebrews 11:6 reminds us: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Yet storms of life easily rattle our faith.

• Or is the focus primarily on Jesus? Hebrews 12 tells us that He is the founder and perfecter of our faith.

 

Confident faith in Jesus is a symbiotic relationship:

• Jesus is the anchor of our faith.

• We persistently look to Him, aided by the Holy Spirit.

• Our faith grows as He enables us through His indwelling Spirit.

• We rest firmly in the love of the Father.

 

With this framework, we turn to John 3:1–21, tracing three movements of faith.

 

1. From Queries (about the kingdom) to Entrance (into the kingdom) by Being Born of the Spirit (vv.1–8)

 

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, a member of the Sanhedrin. He was knowledgeable, authoritative, and respected. Yet two words stand out:

• Night – He came to Jesus by night. Was he cautious? Seeking privacy?

• Signs – He acknowledged Jesus as a teacher from God because of the signs.

 

But signs alone do not constitute saving faith (John 2:23–25). Jesus cut straight to Nicodemus’ deepest need: “You must be born again.”

• Credentials, learning, status—none grant entry into the kingdom. Sin is the great leveller: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

• Illustration: The boys arguing over a dog decided the biggest liar could keep it. After the priest claimed he had never lied as a boy, they replied, “Okay, you win. You can keep the dog.” There is no one who has not sinned.

• Jesus explained being “born of water and the Spirit”. The focus moves decisively to the sovereign work of the Spirit. “The wind blows where it wishes… so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

 

Ezekiel 36:25–27 illuminates this:

• Cleansing: “I will sprinkle clean water on you.”

• Transformation: “I will put my Spirit within you… and cause you to walk in my statutes.”

 

To be born again is to be born from above—a work accomplished by God alone. As John Wesley emphasised, regeneration is authored solely by the Spirit of God. It is not by lineage or human effort, but by the Spirit who mortifies corrupt nature and infuses faith, love and obedience.

 

Application:

• None of our credentials qualify us. None of our lack of credentials disqualify us. Entrance into the kingdom comes only by being born of the Spirit.

 

2. From Confusion (about the things of God) to Confidence (in the ways of God) by Believing in the Son (vv.9–15)

 

Nicodemus was confused. Jesus gently unfolded the truth:

• Incarnation (v.13): The Son of Man descended from heaven.

• Crucifixion (v.14): The Son of Man must be lifted up.

 

Foreshadowing (Numbers 21:9): Moses lifted up the bronze serpent; those who looked lived.

 

Likewise, whoever believes in the Son will have eternal life. Deliverance comes not by analysing signs, but by looking to the Son.

 

John 3:36 affirms: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”

• Confident faith rests not in the strength of our believing, but in the object of our faith—Jesus.

 

Illustration: The father of the demon-possessed boy cried, “I believe; help my unbelief.” That is confident faith—not stoic certainty, but desperate trust.

 

Even desperate cries in storms are expressions of faith. When we cry, “Help me, Lord,” we demonstrate faith. Our confidence lies in believing in Jesus, trusting Him to carry us from beginning to end.

 

3. From Darkness (in Sin) to Light (of Life) through faith in the Son so lovingly given to us by the Father  (vv.16–21)

 

John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world…” — or, “This is how God loved the world: He gave His only Son.”

• God’s love is shown in giving. In the Passover context, Jesus is the ultimate Passover Lamb, sacrificed so that all who believe may have eternal life.

• Verse 17 clarifies the Son’s mission: not to condemn, but to save. The world is already condemned because of sin. Salvation comes through believing in the Son.

• Yet verses 19–20 reveal a tragic reality: people love darkness rather than light.

• Illustration: During police raids on nightclubs, when lights were suddenly switched on, vices hidden in darkness were exposed. Those in darkness do not want the light.

• So it is spiritually. Many choose darkness. But Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. By believing in Him, we move from death to life, from darkness to light.

 

Conclusion: Three Movements from Unfaith to Faith
 

• From queries (about the kingdom of God) to entrance (into the kingdom of God) by being born of the Spirit
  (vv.1-8)
   

• From confusion (about the things of God) to confidence (in the ways of God) by believing in the Son (vv.9-15)
   

• From darkness (in sin) to light (of life) through faith in the Son so lovingly given to us by the Father (vv.16-21)

 

All three Persons of the Trinity are involved:

• The Spirit brings new birth.

• The Son is lifted up for salvation.

• The Father lovingly gives.

 

Confident Faith in Jesus is not earned by merit. It is a gift—born of the Spirit, centred on the Son, given by the Father.

 

Even in storms and the meandering journey of faith, our triune God has thrown all His resources into securing our salvation, sustaining our faith, and bringing us safely home.